State Official: Many W.Va. dams don't meet design standards

Local
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7/25/2013 9:43 AM
by Nadine Grimley

CHARLESTON - A state official said that many of the state's aging watershed dams don't meet current design standards and need repairs.

West Virginia Conservation Agency Director Brian Farkas said his agency doesn't have the resources to address the issue and that of the state's 170 watershed dams, 100 don't meet current design standards. Farkas told lawmakers Wednesday that all but one dam are deemed "high hazard," which means that loss of life and property damage are likely should a dam fail. He said no state dams are in danger of failing, but engineers need to review the structures to figure out the price of repairs.